<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET OF STONE ENERGY CORPORATION (THE 
"COMPANY") AS OF JUNE 30, 1996 AND THE RELATED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE COMPANY'S 
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                           7,593
<SECURITIES>                                    15,992
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,171
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                33,396
<PP&E>                                           8,116
<DEPRECIATION>                                   4,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 162,294
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           27,113
<BONDS>                                              0
<COMMON>                                           118
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                      72,960
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   162,294
<SALES>                                         28,391
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                29,496
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   16,073
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,940
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,537
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,946
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,829
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,117
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,117
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.51